What's New

Participants in the YWCA's nationally accredited child care program recently received a special visit from "Al the Alligator" and the great staff from Smiles for Keeps Dentistry.

Originally located in the heart of the Woodlawn community, Smiles for Keeps was founded six years ago by local dentist, Dr. Roger Smith (the husband of a former Junior Board member) and Mary McSpadden with an overarching goal of providing quality dental care to children and teens in a fun and child-friendly environment.

Homelessness, domestic violence and racism are uncomfortable subjects that are often avoided in society, especially in social situations. In an effort to continue to encourage open dialogue about these problems that are plaguing our community, the YWCA Central Alabama will host a Walking Tour of YWoodlawn on Wednesday, September 12th - this is the third event in the YWhisper series.

After completing a summer internship with the YWCA's Social Justice department, Kelsie Overton, a student at Birmingham-Southern College (BSC), is returning to school with a new understanding of the broad array of programs and services provided by the YWCA.

Overton, a native of Nashville, was initially introduced to the YWCA during her Woodlawn Interim service-learning class at BSC. During that four week class, students focused on the developmental and educational issues facing Woodlawn and other communities in Birmingham.

The YWCA Family Resource Center in Woodlawn was recently filled with laughter and smiles as 17 teenagers celebrated their graduation from the Summer CREW program, a partnership between the YWCA Central Alabama and the Woodlawn Foundation.

As the graduates entered the room, the growth that had taken place in these teenagers was evident. In eight short weeks, these young men and young women who initially entered the program with no expectations had blossomed into hard-working and responsible young adults equipped with valuable life skills that will serve them well for years to come.